Where Do I Belong?

First Peter 2

Where do I Belong?

In this second chapter, Peter takes us a little deeper into some of the themes he talks about in chapter one.  That theme of being strangers in this world reappears, but while “stranger” is something that tends to tell us what we’re not, in chapter 2, Peter gives us pretty awesome phrases to describe who we ARE because of our connection to Christ.  Among others, we are described as “living stones – being built in a spiritual house.”  We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” 

While I could write a page on any of the names used here, the first thing that strikes me is that all of the descriptions that God gives Peter have a commonality to them – they describe us in terms of community rather than individually.  Most of our culture is based on the individual.  We are a nation of lone rangers who happen to occupy a certain geography located between the Atlantic and the Pacific. 

But the word “lone” and “lonely” aren’t as different as one might think.  Plain and simple, we all need a sense of “belonging” to prevent the slide from “lone” to “lonely.”  The word “belonging” in terms of humans (rather than pens or cars) has connotations of relationship and acceptance.  I see it constantly as I hang out with children, tweens and teens.  When children are very young, watch them on the playground.  They may have never met before but when you’re three years old, who cares?  There’s sand and swings and why not just play together?  But as they get older, the question of “do I belong?” begins to dominate the playground.  Suddenly there’s a whole new field of play at work, and it’s no longer simple or easy.

One of the reasons Anette and I have lead children’s and youth drama teams over the years (make that a lot of years) is that we wanted to provide a place where children and youth can know they belong.  It’s not the only way, but it’s been one place we could provide.  We are working on a presentation for a conference on this subject, so we asked a number of our former actors and actresses what they got out of our time together on various drama teams.  They gave us quite a list, but among the most common responses - a sense of belonging.  And if Anette and I were to describe what we experienced by leading those teams – I think “belonging” would be on both of our lists as well.  We don’t ever outgrow that need in our lives.

So here we are – a people belonging to God.  We don’t all look the same, think the same, experience the same things, but when we are in Christ, Peter tells us, we are a people belonging to God.  And through extension, we are also a people belonging to each other.  We have connection.  We have relationship.  We have acceptance.  We even have a purpose as we do life together.  Peter puts it this way: “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

So I come back to the question … Where do I belong?  Thankfully I can answer that one and more than that, I can say that I’ve experienced that answer.  I am someone who lives among a people belonging to God, and I want my voice to join with others because we have some praises to declare.